Earth Angels

Real Living with Multiple Sclerosis, Jul/Aug 2004 by Zielinski, Karen

Houses of worship honor volunteers with disabilities.

"CONGRATULATIONS to the Diocese of Toledo! It is a wonderful idea to encourage and honor people who volunteer, including people with disability. So often they are just on the receiving end and never get a chance to assist others!" said Lorraine Thal, program officer of the Religion & Disability Program for the National Organization on Disability (NOD) in Washington, D.C. Thal had high praises for the Toledo Catholic Diocese's Open Arms Awards given out last month at Rosary Cathedral.

But unlike those benefiting from the Toledo Catholic Diocese, many of the millions of people with disabilities in the United States have spiritual needs that aren't being met because their churches, synagogues, meetinghouses, mosques, or temples aren't accessible to the disabled, both structurally and in attitude. Isn't it ironic that the very thing that can help us cope with disability-our faith-should be out of our reach?

Northwest Ohio gets it when it comes to understanding the place of all people in places of worship. On Saturday, March 20, 2004, six people with disabilities were honored at the Sixth Annual Open Door Liturgy, which honored volunteers from the 19 counties' Catholic churches. Marsha Rivas, director of Equal Access Ministry in the Diocese, coordinates the program.

"The Open Arms Awards were first given in 1999 by then director [and founder] of Equal Access Ministry, Kitty Kruse, to recognize Catholics with disabilities who are active in their parish and community," Rivas said. "Besides recognizing deserving individuals for whom just attending Sunday Mass may be a hardship because of their disability, this award serves as an awareness opportunity for pastoral leaders from any church. When you see someone with a disability in your church, don't think of them as an object for your parish outreach, but rather as a person with great potential for ministering themselves. Don't overlook the unique perspective they bring to people with and without disabilities."

Sponsored by the diocesan department of Equal Access Ministry, the Open Arms Awards honor people with disabilities who minister in their parishes and communities. Bishop Leonard Blair presented this year's awards at Rosary Cathedral. The following individuals were recognized as outstanding volunteers.

Open Arms Award Winners

Amy Boyers hails from Wauseon, St. Caspar Parish where she teaches first-grade religion. She holds a master's degree in special education and is employed full time by Wauseon schools in their special-education program. She is married with two daughters and was chosen Mother of the Year in 1998 by St. Caspar's Rosary Altar Society. Amy has cerebral palsy with a mobility impairment.

Leroy Coleman serves on the pastoral council and bereavement committee at his parish, Tiffin, St. Mary. He also serves as a lector and Eucharistic minister and helps with the parish festival and bingo. Leroy visits elderly parishoners in their homes and nursing facilities. He has coached baseball for Tiffin Calvert High School and little league baseball for the city of Tiffin. Leroy walks with a prosthesis after his leg was amputated while serving during the Vietnam War.

From Toledo, St. Pius X Parish, Ann Couturier has served on the pastoral council for St. Pius and sponsored youths preparing for confirmation and adults preparing to be received in full communion in the Catholic faith. Ann holds two jobs: She's employed full time by Medical Mutual of Ohio and part time by Target Stores. In her spare time she serves as vice-president for the local chapter of the Heartlanders of Little People of America, Inc. Ann was born with achondroplasia dwarfism.

Cathy Manghelli is a choir member and cantor at Lima, St. John the Evangelist. She also sings in the Lima Civic Chorus. She has served on the pastoral council at St. John's as well as director of Adult Education. Cathy also served as a spiritual life coordinator, directing retreats for St. John and St. Rose parishes. She has been the department chair of English at Lima Central Catholic High School since 1971 and teaches a satellite English course at Lima Central Catholic for Lourdes College. Cathy was born blind.

A member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Bellevue, Brian Roth was nominated for the Open Arms Award by his pastor, Rev. Keith Stripe. Brian is a student at Bellevue High School and attends Sunday Mass faithfully. He also attends religious education classes at Immaculate Conception, participates in the youth ministry program, and serves as a greeter at Mass, bringing encouragement and playfulness to young and old parishioners. Brian was born with cerebral palsy.

Mary Lou Szabo sings in the choir and cantors for her church, St. Aloysius in Bowling Green. She has worked on many parish and school activities, including the parish festival, school advisory council, and 24-hour adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Mary Lou has served as a Eucharistic minister and religion teacher. She has worked as a school nurse at St. Aloysius for 29 years and taught human sexuality classes at St. Aloysius and St. Louis in Custar. Mary Lou received a grant from the Coalition for Pregnancy Prevention in Wood County and is a leader with the Bowling Green Community Coalition for Youth and Families, addressing alcohol abuse and youths at risk. Mary Lou has lived with MS for 34 years.